Thanks for all the positive encouragement…I hope everyone continues to enjoy this story as much I enjoy sharing it.
Chapter 5-Under the sky
Putting the car in park, Maura looked over at Jane. The soft iridescent light from the dash board illuminated Jane's profile allowing Maura to see the small frown on her face.
"I can't believe you drive a BMW 325i…" Jane said as she undid her seatbelt, shifting uncomfortably in the soft black leather seat.
"It's just a car Jane…why does it bother you so much?" Maura's voice faltered slightly with uncertainty. She gripped the steering wheel tightly in her hands feeling disheartened by Jane's tone.
"I don't know…" Jane struggled to find the words. She wasn't really sure why it bothered her so much. "I guess I just didn't realize how different we really are…you know…our families and stuff. "
"Jane, please don't do that…" Maura sighed, dropping her hands into her lap.
"What Maura? " Jane challenged before she forced herself to look away. She leaned her elbow against the door and rested her cheek against the back of her hand. Gazing out the window, Jane felt the sting of insecurity and it was a strange new sensation that had her feeling inadequate. She didn't understand why she suddenly felt as if she wasn't enough for Maura.
"Please don't judge me based on preconceived notions just because I drive a BMW. If you do, than you are no better than everyone else in there." Maura pointed towards the house they were parked in front of. "I know you're better than that. When I'm with you… I feel like I belong. For the first time in my life, I don't feel judged. Please don't start now."
Looking over at Maura, Jane could see the picture of innocence in the soft features of Maura's face. Jane's stomach clenched at the idea that Maura thought it was her that was somehow inadequate. She reached over and laced her fingers with Maura's giving her hand a gentle squeeze.
"You're right…I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking; maybe I got hit in the head a few too many times tonight." Jane tried to smile even though she could still see the apprehension on Maura's face. Jane watched Maura gently bite down on her lower lip as she contemplated her words.
"Damn straight she's right…I for one think this car is bitchin." Frankie popped up from the back seat, insinuating himself between Maura and Jane. Jane had forgotten he was in the car and quickly let go of Maura's hand, but not before he noticed. With a raised eyebrow he looked at Jane who quickly looked away.
"Language Frankie…" Maura admonished as she looked over her shoulder at him. She too had noticed how quickly Jane had let go of her hand. She instantly missed the comfort and reassurance that she had felt in the gentle touch.
Both Jane and Frankie broke out into laughter, surprising Maura. "What? You know how I feel about that kind of language Jane…" Her frustration at the whole situation was evident in her voice.
"Mind your 'P's' and 'Q's' Frankie…" Jane gave him a gentle shove before looking at Maura, a smile on her face.
Maura immediately relaxed when she saw the smile directed her way. Jane always had a way of disarming her with that roguish grin she found so attractive.
"Yeah, yeah…whatever…" Frankie said. "Are we going to this party or what?"
"Ever been to a party like this?" Jane reached over and touched Maura's shoulder, unable to quell the need to touch her again.
"Um, no, not really..." Maura looked worried as she watched people pour out of the two story brick house out onto the lawn.
"Don't worry Maura, I haven't either. This will be my first football party." Frankie was practically jumping around the backseat. "And a victory party at that!"
"You," Jane pointed at Frankie. "No drinking. Ma will kill me if she finds out I brought you here."
Maura gave Jane a look somewhere between shock and terror at the implications of being caught by the older Rizzoli.
"Okay, okay Saint Jane." Frankie threw his hands up in the air as he climbed out of the back seat before heading into the crowd that had gathered on the front lawn to welcome him.
"Why did he call you Saint Jane?" Maura asked.
"Cuz I don't drink." Jane looked over at her with a self- assured smile. "Underage drinking is against the law and I don't want to hurt my chances of getting into the police academy with some stupid mistake. Besides, I did all of that my first year on the varsity team…guess I got tired of being in trouble with my parents all of the time."
"Very admirable, Jane..." Maura gave her a quick nod. "And smart might I add."
"Yeah, you know me…smarty pants Rizzoli." Jane said with a smirk and a wink as she got out of the car.
There it was…the wink that Maura loved so much. It had caused her to visibly shiver and she was sure she had seen playfulness in Jane's smirk as she shut the car door. Sitting in the car alone, she considered the idea that Jane knew exactly what she was doing and how it affected her. Before she could ponder any further a loud knock on the window startled her.
"Hey…you comin' or what?" Jane said from behind the glass, a look of concern on her face.
Maura nodded and smiled as she climbed out of the car. With the click of a button, she locked the doors and then slipped the keys into her pocket.
"You think he'll listen?" Maura asked as she fell into step next to Jane as they crossed the front yard.
"Nah, probably not…but I hope he doesn't drink too much. I for one don't want to drag his drunken ass home to our parents…" Jane shrugged her shoulders as she pushed her way past a small group gathered by the door.
"Language Jane…" Maura started, but was interrupted when Jane stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"Look Maur…we are about to go into a party full of football players and you will probably hear worse before the night is over…so I suggest you buck up and try not to get offended every time you hear something that disturbs your delicate senses…" Jane said with a crocked grin. "At least for tonight..."
"Okay…" Maura paused before pointing her finger at Jane. "But just for tonight."
Maura followed Jane up the walkway as they made their way through the crowd of people who were loitering about. Out of nowhere a guy was shoved right into Maura taking her by surprise. The force almost knocked her over, but she felt Jane's strong hands steady her. Before she could say anything, she watched wide eyed as Jane grabbed the guy by the front of his t-shirt before shoving him away.
"Shit Josh, watch where you're going." Jane growled in that low voice that caused Maura's heart to palpitate. "Are you alright?" She turned to Maura who could only nod as they approached the door, willing her heart to slow down.
As they entered the house, Jane could feel eyes fall upon them. Some followed them with interest, some with curiosity, and some with a judgment Jane had never had directed at her before. She didn't like it.
Someone threw Jane a beer can as they made their way through the crowd of teenagers that seemed to fill every corner. Nonchalantly, she tossed it back.
"Sorry, forgot." A short, stocky guy shouted to her. "How 'bout your friend there?" He said holding up the can in Maura's direction.
Maura shook her head and Jane gave her a satisfied smirk.
"What?" Maura looked back at Jane. "I don't like beer…I much prefer wine." She shrugged her shoulders indifferently.
Jane rolled her eyes before several football players descended on her with hugs and pats on the backs. She was surrounded by muscle and brawn and looked slightly unnerved by the sudden attention.
Maura stood back to let the group swarm Jane. She could see that Jane was uncomfortable, but there was a gleam in her eyes that also showed how proud she was to be held in such high esteem by her peers. It was then that Maura realized that although Jane acted as if she didn't care what people thought of her, it was far from how she truly felt.
As Maura stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by people on all sides, she noticed that mostly everyone was looking at Jane with admiration. But Maura also noticed that several girls were scowling. She felt anger rise in her chest at the dirty looks Jane was getting and she realized that what Frankie had told her earlier about how most of the girls were jealous was true. She was just now seeing it firsthand.
"Great game tonight…!" One of the guys said leading Jane into the living room. All eyes were on her as she entered. Jane felt as if she could take on the world as her teammates surrounded her. All of her cocky bravado returned to her tenfold as she let them pull her away from Maura.
Maura couldn't help but notice Jane's confident swagger return as she watched Jane disappeared into the group of brawny football players. In that instant, she felt completely out of place. She backed up, away from the group as she tried to make herself as small as possible not wanting any of the attention directed her way.
As if Jane could somehow sense Maura's unease, she searched the crowd until their eyes met. She could see that Maura was apprehensive about joining in the celebration. Maura looked shy and uncomfortable and Jane felt a sudden urge to protect her.
"You okay?" Jane mouthed at Maura who nodded back. Although Maura had nodded in the affirmative, Jane wasn't convinced.
"Hey Jane, I want you to meet someone…" Steve said as he came up beside her.
"Yeah, just a sec Steve…" Jane said not taking her eyes off of Maura. "I promised my friend I wouldn't leave her alone in this crowd of brutes." She pointed in Maura's direction before beckoning her over with her hand.
Maura nodded again as she eased her way over to Jane. With a definitive nod Jane turned back to Steve when she felt Maura come up behind her.
"This is Joe and Barry." Steve said as he pulled Jane over to introduce her to two guys who stood off to the side.
"Hey…" Jane tried to smile. She couldn't help but notice that the guy named Joe was looking over her shoulder at Maura. He had a predatory look in his eyes that Jane didn't like.
"You've got quite an arm on you…" the one named Barry said as he shook her hand.
"Thanks…" Jane all but mumbled as her anger smoldered at the look in Joe's eyes. She glanced over her shoulder to see Maura trying to shrink away from the look directed at her. A feeling of satisfaction filled Jane when she felt Maura press closer to her, as if seeking her protection. When she brought her attention back to Barry she was met with a genuine smile. "Sorry, um…Barry is it?"
"Yeah but everyone calls me Frost. I'm a cornerback for Northside High. I'm hoping to be on the receiving end of one of your passes, by way of interception that is." There was a playful light in his eyes as he smiled brightly at her.
Jane tried to smile at the young man who stood in front of her. Although he had an overly confident attitude, something that usually put Jane off, there was something warm and friendly in his eyes that Jane liked immediately. Given different circumstances, she knew she could like this guy a lot. Joe on the other hand was asking for a fist to the face. He wasn't just looking at Maura, he was leering.
"Who's your friend?" Joe nodded in Maura's direction causing Jane to stiffen instantly. She could still feel Maura close to her as she reached back to push Maura further behind her.
Maura could feel the intent in the look that was directed her way by one of the young men that was talking to Jane. She could also see the tense posture that had taken over Jane. She allowed Jane to gently push her until she could barely see over the broad shoulders in front of her. For a brief second Maura equated the scene before her to a knight in shining armor protecting her virtue.
"She's not interested…" Jane growled.
"Really…? You her body guard or something…" Joe taunted Jane with a cocky grin.
"Something like that…" Jane stared at him long and hard, willing him to say something else.
Joe tried to stare Jane down, but realized he was in a losing battle. He could feel the air stir around him as several guys turned their attention to what was happening between the two of them. Jane was surrounded by her team and they would do anything to protect her. He was the outsider, so he took his cue and backed down.
"Yeah, whatever…" He said in a dismissive tone as he caught sight of easier prey. "Watch your back Rizzoli…" He pushed past Jane. "And I'll see you again…" he said giving Maura one last appraising look.
"Sorry about my friend there…" Frost said to Jane, an apologetic smile on his face. "He doesn't get out much."
"Yeah, well he'd better watch who he crosses." Jane said with a sigh, allowing the tension to drain from her as Joe disappeared. "So, you play for Northside huh?"
"Yeah…I have a feeling we may end up meeting on the field before this year is over." He said before nodding in Maura's direction. "I promise to be on my best behavior if you introduce me to your friend…." He smiled at Maura as she slipped out from behind Jane's protective stance.
Maura had watched the tension leave Jane as soon as the one that was leering at her had wandered off, so she decided to introduce herself to the one who was still talking to Jane. She could tell by the genuine smile and the soft brown eye's that he was someone she would like.
Jane could feel Maura come up beside her, bringing a smile to her face. "Maura, this is Frost…Frost, this is Maura." Jane said, instantly calmed by Maura's presence.
"Nice to meet you Maura…" Frost said, extending his hand for her to shake.
"And you as well." Maura said as she took his hand in her own, giving it a gentle shake.
"Frost here plays for Northside." Jane said, shifting her body until she could feel Maura pressing slightly against her.
Frost smiled before leaning close to Maura to speak. "She doesn't think I can I can intercept a pass from her…but I think I can." He said in a mock whisper so Jane could hear as well.
"Not gonna happen…I don't throw interceptions." Jane smirked at Frost good naturedly.
"Hey Frost…come here…" Frankie shouted from across the room.
"You know my brother?" Jane raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Yeah, met him last year when we played against each other on JV. He's a good player…a good guy too." Frost waved at Frankie. "Guess I'd better go see what he wants. It was really good to finally meet you Jane. I look forward to seeing you on the gridiron." He gave her a pat on the back as he passed her. "Maura, it was a pleasure."
Maura smiled at him as he passed by leaving her and Jane alone. "He seemed nice." She said to Jane, who looked lost in thought.
"Yeah, I suppose." She sighed. "I didn't like his friend Joe though…" she mused out loud. She could feel Maura shiver next to her.
"Me either…" Maura said, drawing a small smile from Jane.
When more people headed their direction with the intent of pulling Jane away, Maura tried to step back again and let Jane enjoy her attention. She stopped when she felt a warm hand slip into hers and looked up to see Jane grinning at her.
"Let's get out of here." Jane pulled Maura towards the kitchen and the door that led out to the backyard. Maura felt the warmth of Jane's hand in her own and she held tight as she let Jane lead her outside. Maura also noticed that Jane didn't let go right away even though they had made their way past the multitude of bodies that blocked their way.
As they stepped outside Maura could see the yard was well-lit by the lights that streamed from the many windows that adorned the back of the house. Although there were people milling about, it was nowhere near as crowded as it was inside. The wind had died down diminishing the chill in the early autumn air. Maura looked up at the clear sky above, catching a glimpse of the stars as she let Jane lead the way towards a dimly lit corner.
"I don't like all that attention…" Jane said pulling Maura towards a trampoline that was hidden in the far corner. "I don't do it for the attention." She looked at Maura with a serious expression. She let go of Maura's hand as she climbed up onto the trampoline. "Come'er…" she said patting the empty space next to her.
"Up there?" Maura seemed surprised that Jane would expect her to jump up next to her. She looked around, giving her eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light. When she looked back at Jane, she could see her sitting on the edge of the trampoline, hand extended for Maura to take.
"Yeah, come on…take my hand."
Maura looked at Jane, then at the trampoline before looking back at Jane, confusion written all over her face.
"Live a little Maura…" Jane smirked.
With a resigned sigh, Maura reached out to take Jane's hand. In the blink of an eye, she found herself sitting next to Jane on the taut, stretched fabric. They lightly bounced up and down as Jane scrambled back towards the middle, beckoning Maura to sit next to her. Jane leaned back on her elbows and looked up at the sky. She instantly relaxed when she felt Maura slide up next to her, mimicking her posture.
"Why do you do it?" Maura asked leaning back next to Jane.
"I don't know. I guess because someone told me I couldn't. I really hate to be told that I can't do something, especially if they tell me it's because I'm a girl."
"I can see that." Maura gave her knowing smile.
"Yeah?" Jane leaned back and put her hands behind her head. "Don't you hate when someone tells you that you can't do something?"
"Well, no one has ever told me that before." Maura leaned back and slipped her hands into the front pocket of her sweatshirt.
"Really…?" Jane looked over at Maura. "Never…?"
"Never…" Maura looked up at the sky. "I never wanted to play football though. I suppose someone might have told me I couldn't do that."
"Well, I would never tell you that you couldn't do something, even if you wanted to play football." Jane rolled over on her side so she could see Maura better in the semi-darkness.
"Thanks…although I don't think I will be playing football anytime soon."
"Never say never…" Jane yawned. "Anyway, just saying… I would support you in anything you wanted to do. That's what friends do, they support each other."
Maura was quiet for a minute as she studied the stars up in the sky. Hearing the sincerity in Jane's voice was enough to bring tears to her eyes. She had never had a friend who cared the way Jane did. She rolled over to say something but stopped as the soft glow of the white letter on Jane's varsity jacket caught her attention.
With cautious fingers, she reached out to trace the chenille letter. It was soft to the touch and she couldn't hold back the sigh that escaped her lips.
"What are you doing?" Jane lifted her head to look at Maura's hand on her jacket suddenly feeling very nervous.
"My dad still has his letterman's jacket from Harvard." Maura said as her fingers continued to move over the material. "Do you know the origins?"
"Um…no…" Jane tried not to sound flustered by Maura's proximity as she lay back down.
"Well…" Maura began as her hand found refuge on Jane's chest, just above the chenille letter she had been caressing. "The letterman jacket got its start at Harvard in 1865. The baseball team embroidered an old English style H onto their plain gray flannel shirts. Only those players that had participated in the most important games were allowed to continue wearing the H on their jersey. If they didn't participate in the game, they had to return their jersey at the end of the season. By 1930 the letter begun appearing on wool jackets with leather sleeves and there you have it…the tradition of the varsity letterman jacket."
"Wow…" Jane let out a breath of wonder. "I can't believe you know all this stuff. I bet you speak more than one language too." She teased.
Maura was quiet for a minute prompting Jane to push herself up on her elbows again to see her better. Maura's hand was still on her chest, but her face was hidden in the dim light.
"Really Maura…? How many different languages do you speak?" Jane asked wearily. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.
"Um, six..." Maura's voice was quiet as if she wasn't sure she wanted to share this about herself. "French, Greek, Chinese, Spanish, Swahili, and some German. I do speak Latin, but I hardly count that since it isn't really spoken anymore, except at the Vatican I suppose."
A motion sensor light flickered on in the distance illuminating them both in its brilliant glow. Jane stared down at Maura with an unreadable expression. She knew Maura wasn't bragging, but it amazed her all the same.
"Is something wrong?" Maura asked with concern as she studied Jane's pensive expression.
"Um, no...But has anyone every told you that you are amazing."
Maura blushed and waved her hand as if to dismiss Jane's admiration. "No, it's just a matter of having the means I suppose."
Jane raised a questioning eyebrow.
"I went to boarding school in France so I learned to speak French really as a means of survival. I learned Chinese and Spanish there too. Of course I learned Greek and Latin as a pre-requisite for Medical school. Swahili was something I learned at an early age when I would go visit my father in Africa. As for the German, I had a German nanny when I was little so I picked it up from her."
"Wow," Jane breathed out slowly. "You've had quite a childhood."
"A very lonely childhood, Jane. Just books and nannies to keep me company most of the time." Maura's eyes turned sad.
"Sorry Maur…" She took a deep breath suddenly feeling sorry making Maura feel bad. "I can speak some Italian and of course I can read a little Latin."
"Really…?" Maura looked up at Jane.
"Yeah, but I only know the curse words in Italian since my Mom yells at us in Italian when she's really mad, which is most of the time. The Latin I learned in Catholic school." Jane said as she leaned back again to look up at the sky again.
As they lay there bathed in the soft warm light from across the yard, they settled into a comfortable silence. Maura still had her hand resting on Jane's jacket as she turned fully onto her side. She could see the small smile that played at the corners of Jane's lips and it filled her with warmth, driving away whatever chill lingered in the air.
The weight of Maura's hand relaxing on her chest was almost too much for Jane. Feeling that she was the subject of intense study, she glanced over at Maura who was watching her intently. What she saw both terrified and excited her in ways she didn't even realize was possible. It was like when she rode on a rollercoaster. Even though it frightened her, she couldn't wait for the ride to begin once she had been convinced it was what she wanted.
When the motion sensor light turned off surrounding them in whatever faint light could reach their corner, Jane sighed in relief. She had felt vulnerable under Maura's gaze and had sensed a need in Maura that she wasn't sure she was ready to accept. Already she was feeling and doing things that were outside of her comfort zone and it was all because of Maura.
Jane knew that Maura was stirring up thoughts that had lain dormant in the back of her mind for a while. She had always known she was different, finding the soft curves and gentle touches of her female friends more to her liking than those of her male counterparts that seemed to constantly vie for her attention. She couldn't bring herself to put a label on it yet for fear of how her family would react, not to mention everyone else who knew her. Already the guys on the team teased her about how much more masculine she was than most of them and it pained her to think they might be right. It made her question everything she thought she knew about herself.
Maura relaxed into the darkness that surrounded them when the motion sensor light turned off. She watched Jane wondering if she had fallen asleep because she had suddenly gone quiet. She thought about how much she wanted to reach out and touch the hand that lay just inches away from her own. Jane had a soft, relaxed look on her face and Maura couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her long, dark hair splayed out across her shoulders, with the occasional stray falling across her face. Even though the moon light had not reached them yet, she could imagine how stunning those dark strands would look bathed in its radiance.
Taking a chance, Maura reached out to move one strand of hair and tucked it behind Jane's ear. She let out a quiet gasp when Jane's hand caught hers, bringing the back of Maura's hand against her cool cheek without opening her eyes.
It had surprised Jane when she felt Maura's hand move and gently brush a strand of hair from her face. Without thinking, she reached up and grasped the smaller hand in her own.
"Your hand is cold…" Jane's voice was barely a whisper as she brought the back of Maura's hand across her mouth. She lightly grazed her warm lips against the soft skin of Maura's hand before bringing it to rest against her check.
Maura held her breath and didn't dare move. She could have sworn she felt Jane's lips touch her hand in the gentlest of kisses.
After a minute, Jane slowly brought their hands down without letting go. Slipping their joined hands into her jacket, she pulled Maura's hand closer to her chest. She wasn't sure why she was doing it, but in that moment she didn't have the strength to fight it. Feeling Maura's skin, even if it were just their hands, just felt too good to let go.
Maura could feel the steady rhythm of Jane's heart- beat. She lay there with her arm extended and reveled in the intimacy of the moment before she felt Jane's hand slacken its grip on hers. As Maura lay there under the sky, her fingers intertwined with Jane's, she felt fatigue overtake her. Jane's breathing had become deep and relaxed and Maura allowed herself to relax as well. As she closed her eyes, her last thoughts were of Jane's lips and how soft they had felt against her skin.